Former Yankees outfielder Carlos Beltran told ESPN's Enrique Rojas that he has been named special adviser to GM Brian Cashman. Beltran, who shares an agent with free-agent shortstop Manny Machado, played for the Yankees from 2014 to '16.

Left-hander J.A. Happ, who went 7-0 for the Yankees after coming over from Toronto, will return on a two-year deal, the Yankees announced. The deal is reportedly worth $34 million with a vesting option for 2021.

The New York Yankees gave pitcher CC Sabathia a $500,000 performance bonus, even though the 38-year-old left-hander was ejected from his final regular-season start six outs shy of the 155 innings specified in his contract for the payment.

Bringing back a 36-year-old pitcher wasn't everything Bombers fans were wishing for. Machado -- and maybe another arm -- joining Happ would make the season bright.

Coley Harvey ESPN Staff Writer

As the Yankees make the signing of lefty free agent J.A. Happ official today, they also made room for him on the 40-man roster by designating right-hander Parker Bridwell for assignment. Happ gets signed to a two-year deal with a vesting option for 2021.

Joan Steinbrenner, 83, the wife of late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, died Friday. She held the title of Yankees vice chair.

Coley Harvey ESPN Staff Writer

Sad news as the Yankees report vice chairperson Joan Steinbrenner died today in Tampa at 83. She married George Steinbrenner on May 12, 1956. Said the family: "Joan was a compassionate and caring matriarch whose profound love for her family and those in the community always inspired us. Her elegance and grace touched everyone around her, and we know her spirit will live on through her legacy of good works. We are grateful to have had her in our lives, and she will be deeply missed‬."

Boston outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia are traveling to London this week, six months ahead of the two-game series between the teams in the British capital.

Coley Harvey ESPN Staff Writer

How does Aaron Boone view the distance between his Yankees and the World Series champion Red Sox? "Obviously they were an unbelievable team this year and roster. But we also understand that although we're very much on level ground, we've obviously got areas that we need to improve to close that gap. We feel like when we're at our best, we're as good as any team there is."

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Coley Harvey ESPN Staff Writer

Aaron Boone, speaking at the Winter Meetings about Gary Sánchez: "This is going to be a huge year of growth for him. The adversity he went through will help him." Sánchez, who had been rehabbing in Tampa from a recent shoulder surgery, is back training in the Dominican Republic. According to Brian Cashman, the "heavy lifting" portion of his rehab has concluded.

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Alden Gonzalez ESPN Staff Writer

Rockies manager Bud Black was asked if Adam Ottavino would strike out Babe Ruth. "You know, Babe was pretty good down and in," Black said. "That breaking ball coming down and in to him, he might be able to get that at Yankee Stadium — or Coors Field, if Babe played at Coors."

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Marly Rivera ESPN Writer

Aaron Boone talks about what was the biggest challenge in his first year as manager of the New York Yankees.

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Coley Harvey ESPN Staff Writer

These are the Yankees that Brian Cashman (off the top of his head, so could be others) cited as players who have drawn interest this winter from other clubs:
Andújar
Sánchez
Torres
Voit
Hicks
Ellsbury
Betances
Holder
Green
Gray
Paxton
Gardner
Frazier

As seriously as baseball takes its history, maybe the free-agent reliever has a point about what he'd do against Babe Ruth -- then again, maybe not.

Coley Harvey ESPN Staff Writer

Brian Cashman says the Yankees are currently "very engaged" with other teams and agents. But "where this leads? I couldn't tell you." Naturally, isn't discussing the reported pending multi-team trade, but did add he "likes to think we're aggressive and open-minded" to offers sent their way.

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Bradford Doolittle ESPN Staff Writer

There is a lot of stuff slinging around Vegas in regards to the rumored Mets/Marlins/Yankees deal. With so many moving parts, it seems unlikely to move from rumor to reality, but you never know. It's been awhile since baseball had a great blockbuster three-teamer. The big clog in the machine: Would the Yankees really want to part with Miguel Andujar and a package of meaningful prospects for three years of Noah Syndergaard, who has started just 32 games over the last two years? Also, it still seems like any win-right-now scenario for the Mets would involve Thor, but Andujar and JT Realmuto would be an amazing return. Should be an interesting day in Vegas.